Leveling-instrument



(Normaal.) I

W. 8u LpB. GURLEY. LBVBLING INSTRUMENT. NG. 286.606. Patentedct. 1 1883.

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Hllll NVITNESEES:

V UNITED STATES A PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM GURLEY AND LEWIs E: feUaLEY, or frRoY, NEW Youn.

LEVELlNG-INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 286,606, dated October16, 1883,

l Application filed September 5, 1883. (No model.)

ifo-@ZZ whom t may concer-n,.-

Be it known that we, WILLIAM GURLEY and LEwIs E. G-IIRLEY, citizens ofthe United States, residing at the city of Troy, in the county ofRensselaer and State of New York,

have jointly invented new and useful Improve-- ments inLeveling-Instruinents, of which the following is a specification.

The general object of ourinvention is to produce a very simple, compact,efficient, and easily-adjusted levelinginstruinent, having a strongoutside protecting-case, and adapted for convenient `use on a staff ortripod in the instrument inverted, and side view of the in-A closedspirit-level and telescope, the section being at about the lines z z inFig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the case at about the linesy 1/ in- Fig. 2, and elevation of the telescope of the same instrumentwith the socket-attached. Fig. 5 is atransverse section of the sameinstrument at the line w x in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, and Fig. 6 isacross-section of the saine at the line w w in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig.,7 is aperspective view of a coupling-plate for use in securing and adjustingthe socket to the case of the instrument. i A is a strong outer case,which can be of cast brass or bronze, or of other suitable material,and'which is shown formed at its end parts with raised faces ce a c a',that are parallel to each other, on the top and bottom of the case. Y

B is a spirit-level, and C is atelescope, both arranged and supportedlengthwise in the case.4 Through the top of the case is a long aperture,a2, through which the bubble and graduations ofthe spirit-level can befreely seen. 'JT-he ob- 5o ject-glass and the outer end of the eye-pieceof Fig. 2 is a plan of the under side the telescope are exposed to viewat the ends of the case, and the telescope has cross-wires in itsoptical axis to lit it for accurate use.

D is a socket secured to the under side `of the case A,'and adapted tofit and be revolved on the spindle of a ball and socket, E, Fig. l, orleveling-head, F, of a jacob-staff or tripod.

For supporting the spirit-level B, and adjusting it parallel to theplaneV of the faces ce or a c on the case, or at right angles to theIaxis of the socket D, any suitable known devices can be used. For thatpurpose we commonly prefer two headed screws, G G', Fig. 3, iitting inand extending through corresponding perforations yin one side of thecase," and engaging with the end parts, b b', of the spiritlevel, withtwostrong spiral springs, H.` H', surrounding the screws, and by thelatter coinpressed between the case and the parts b b.

For adjusting and securing the telescope in 7e the case, with itsoptical axis parallel to the faces a c c c', or at right angles to tli'eaxis of the socket D, various known devices can be used, and may besimilar to the means above mentioned, and shown in the drawings, foradjusting and securing in the case the level B in Vrespect to saidsocket or faces. As avery simple, cheap, efficient, andgenerally-preferred means for thus adjusting and securing the telescope'within the case, and in respect to said faces or socket, we have one endpart, c, of the main outer tube of the telescope fit tightly in acorresponding perforation through one end plate, a3, of the case, asindicated in Figs. l and 4, and have the other end part, c2, of theouter tube of the telescope furnished with a stock, I, Figs. 3, 4, and5, and two headed screws, J J, fitting in and extending throughcorresponding perforations in the top and bottom of the case, andengaging with the stock I, substantially as represented in Fig. 5, sothat by properly loosening one and tightening the other ofthe screws JJ', the end part, c', of the telescope can be moved up and down, andthereby secured at different heights within the case, whilethe other endpart, c, ofthe telescope fits and remains in the perforation in theiixed end plate, u?.

For adjusting and securing the socket D to .the case A, with the axis ofthe socket at right 10o staff; or-tripod.

angles to the spirit-level B, opitical axis of the telescope C, orplanes of the faces a a c a on the case, various known devices can beused. Preferably for that purpose we furnish the socket D or the casewith a flange or disk, K, Fig. 4, fitting in a corresponding recess inthe under side of the case, with intervening diametrically-oppositefulcrum-bearings, d d, Figs. 3, 6, and 7, transverse to the lengthwisedirection of the case, andsecure the flange or disk K to the case byheaded screws c e f f, extending through corresponding perforations, ej", Fig. 7, in the disk, and engaging with the case, substantially asrepresented in the drawtightening the other of the screws e c the diskKand socket D can be adjusted and firmly secured tothe case, with theaxis of the socket at right angles to the planes of the faces a a a a',tothe spirit-level B, or to the optical axis of the telescope.

To adapt the instrument for ready use,4either onthe spindleof ajacob-staffer tripod or directly on a straight edge or surfaces to betested, we secure the socket D to the case A or disk K by the male andfemale screws g 11 Fig. 4, with, adjacent shoulders 'i j above the planeof thellower faces, a a, on the case, substantially as shown in thedrawings, so that the socket cany be at any time immediately unscrewed,and thus removed from the instrument to permit the lower faces of thecase to be freely applied to av straight-edge, Z, Fig. 3, or to anysurface to be tested, and so that the socket can be at once rescrewedfast to the instrument whenever it is tobe used on a spindle on a Themethod of proceeding to adj ust the level Bjand telescope G at rightangles to the axis ofthe socket D by means of the adjustingscrews G Gand 'J J', respectively, and to adjust the socket D at right angles tothe level and telescope by means of the screws e c, with.- out the useof the parallel faces a a a a on the case,vor when the case shall notvhave those faces, will be evident, or readily understood, uponinspection, by persons skilled in making, adjusting,` and using levelinginstruments. NVe, however, greatly lessen the work of adjusting theinstrument by making the outer casewith parallel top and bottom faces, ac a a', andy with its end perforation, in which the end part, c, of thetelescope fits tightly, just Y midway between the planes of those faces.

Thus. in theinstrument represented in the drawings thespirit-level Bcanl be adjusted parallel to the faces a a a a upon a level surfaceor-straight-edge by reversing the instrument endvfor-end on its lowerfaces, a a, and correcting the position of the level by the Y screws GGf, and the telescope C can be adj usted with its opitical axis parallelto the top and bottom faces on the case -by applying the two oppositefaces a c a a alternately to the same surface,` and moving and settingthe end part, c', of the telescope by the screws J J',

until the telescope cross-wires shall cut the same observed point inboth positions of the instrument. Then, Iwhen the socket D is secured tothe case, to complete the adjustments the socket is adjusted at rightangles to the devel, and consequently at right angles to the telescopeand to the upper and lower parallel faces of the case, by placing thesocket on a spindle, as in Fig. l, and then properly loosening one andtightening the other of the screws e e, Fig. 4, until the bubble remainsin the center of the spirit-level in all positions of the instrument asthe latter is revolved on the spindle. ings, so that by properlyloosening one and As a substitute and equivalent for the socket D, aspindle (indicated by dotted lines at lD in Fig. 4, and adapted to fitin a corresponding socket on the head of a jacob-staff or tripod) can beadjustably and detaehably secured to the case A by means of the devicesabove described for detachably and adjustably Vsecuring the socket D tothe case.

In carrying out some parts of our invention we sometimes make the case Aand spindle D .or socket D in only one piece, or with the vkspindleorsocketk detachably secured directly to the case by a male and a femalescrew,without any intervening adjusting part,` K, the spindle or socketbeing then constructed with its axis permanently'v perpendicular to` theparallel planes of the top and boitonifaces on the case. f

Vhat we claim as, our invention isl. A leveling-instrument having aspiritlevel, a telescope, an outer `protecting-case formed with paralleltop and bottom faces, and means for supporting and adjusting thespirit-level parallel to saidy faces, and for supporting and adjustingthe telescope with its' optical axis midway between and parallel to thetop and bottom faces on the case, substantially as described.

2. A leveling-instrument having a spi-ritlevel, a telescope, 4an outerprotecting-case inclosing thel telescope and spirit-level, and

furnished with a supporting socket or spindle, and means for separatelysupporting and adjusting both` the spirit-level and the telescope atrightangles to the axis of vsaid spindle or socket, substantially asdescribe/df.

3. Aleveling-instrument having an outer protecting-ease furnishedj witha supporting socket orgspindle, a spirit-level and a teleadjustingthevspirit-level parallel to thel optical axis vof the-telescope, `andfor adjusting said spindle or socket with its axis at right angles tothe spirit-level, substantially as described.

' 4.' A leveling-instrument having an outer protecting-case.formed withparallel top and bottom faces, and4 furnished with a supporting socketor spindle having its axis at rightangles. to the planes. of; said,-faces,a telescope and a spirit-level-V supported in the case, and mcansfor adjusting the spirit-level and the IOO `inclosing the telescope andspirit-level, and

`scope supported in the case, and means` for l i essaies s telescopeparallel to said faces on the case, substantially as described.

5. A leveling-instrument having an outer protecting-case formed withparallel top and 5 bottom faces, and furnished with a supporting socketor spindle having its axis at right angles to the planes of saitkfaces,a telescope and a spirit-level supported in the case, and means foradjusting the spirit-level and the telescope parallel to said faces onthe case, and for readily det-aching and accurately reattaching saidspindle or socket, substantially as described. j 6. A leveling-instrument composed of a 5 spirit-level, a telescope, an outerprotecting case inclosing the telescope and spirit-level, and formedwith parallel top and bottom faces,` and furnished with a supportingsocket or spindle, and means for supporting and adjusting thespirit-level and the telescope parallel to said faces on the case, andfor adjusting said'spindlc or socket with its axis at right angles tethe spirit-.level and telescope, substantially as described, 5 7. Aleveling-instrument composed ofan outer protecti ng-case formed withparallel top and bottom faces and furnished with a supporting socket orspindle, a spirit-level and a tele scope supported iu the case, andmeans for ado jnsting the telescope and the spirit-level parallel tosaid faces en the case,for adjusting said spindle or socket at rightangles to the 'spiritlevel, and for readily detaching and accuratelyreattaching said spindle or socket, substan- 5 tially as described.

S. A levelingfinstrument composed of Van outer protectingcase, A, havingparallel top and `bottoni faces, a a c a', spirit-level B, adjustablysecured in the case, telescope C, fitting at one end part in an endperforation in the case, and furnished at its other end part with astock, I, and adjustingscrews .I J', extending through the top andbottom of the case and engaging with said stock, substantially as de- 5scribed.

9. A. levcli11g-instrument composed of an outer protecting-casefurnished with a supporting spindle or socket, D, a spirit-level, B,adjustably secured in the ease, a telescope, C,

o fitting at one end part in an end perforation in the ease, and havingthe stock I on `its other spirit-level, B, adj ustably secured in thecase, substantially as set forth, and a supporting spindle or socket, D,furnished with a perfo- 6o rated iiange or disk, K, fitting against thevcase, and adjustably secured thereto byv the screws e f, and interveningfulcrum-bearings,\ d, substantially as described.

Ill. A leveling-instrumcnt composed of an 65 outer protecting-caseformed with parallel top and bottom faces, a a a a', and furnished witha supporting spindle or socket, D,1at right angles to the planes of saidfaces, the spirit-level B,adjustablysecured in the case, the telescope7o C,fitting at one end part in an end perforation in the case, andhaving the stock I on its other end part, and the screws J J, entendi ngthrough the top and bottom of the case and engaging with said stock onthe telescope, substantially 7 5 as described.

I2. A. leveling-instrument.composed of an outer protecting-case formedwith parallel top and bottom faces, a detachable spindle or socket, l),secured to the case-with its axis per So pendicular to the planes ofsaid faces-by the male and female screw coupling g h above the plane ofthe bottom faces, (to, on the case, and .the spirit-level B andtelescope C, separately supported in the case by adjusting devices, 8'5

substantially as described.

13. A leveling-instrlunent composed of an outer protecting-case formedwith parallel top and bottom faces, aspirit-level and a telescope Ysupported in the case by devices for adjusting 9o the telescope andlevel parallel to said faces, substantially as described, and a spindleor socket, D, furnished with a perforated disk, K, and fulcrum-bearingsd, and secured to the case by adjusting-screws e j", substantially as 95set forth.

14. A leveling-instrument composed of an outer protecting-ease formedwith parallel top and bottom faces, aspirit-level and a telescopesupported in the case by devices for adjusting roo the telescope andspirit-level parallel to said faces, perforated disk K, furnished withfulcrurn-bcarings d and secured tothecase by screws e f, and adetachable spindle or socket,

D, secured to said disk by a male and female 105

